Have you ever asked yourself what your ultimate goal in life was? What were you supposed to achieve by the latter years of your life. This is a question that many people ask themselves when they attain a certain age. The age I’m talking about is relative. To some it is 50, to others it is 35, and to some it is 65. Regardless of the number, one thing is common among everyone, everyone wants to feel safe and secure. This is the common denominator. This is the one thing that defines everyone. We all want to be safe.
Planning for Retirement
My hope is that you don’t focus on the headline above. ‘Retirement’ is just a word. Again, it is an inevitable experience that everyone has to undergo. Everybody has to retire in one way or the other. Regardless of where you work, what you do in life, or how rich or poor you are; you will retire at one point in time. The most important thing is to accept the fate that befalls all of us and plan for it. To put it simply, plan for your retirement. Plan for your latter years. Nobody can do it for you.
Freedom
I associate freedom with animals. Animals are the freest creatures on earth. If you want to be free, be like the animals you see in the great outdoors. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want you to be like your pet dog or cat. I just want you to appreciate the kind of freedom these animals have. But, it is important to note that the creatures out there have their survival mechanisms and structures. They do not just survive by wishing it. They take elaborate and deliberate steps to survive. They plan for winter. They plan for summer. Simply put, they plan for their future. This is the example every human being should follow.
With proper planning comes freedom. This is where true freedom comes from.
Start From Where You Are
Planning for your life is very easy. You just have to start from where you are. First question; what do you have? Where are you? And, most importantly, who are you? It is extremely important to know who you are. And also, where you are coming from and where you are going. Know you standing. Establishing your social, and financial standing. That is the only way you will move forward.
Opportunities
Opportunities are everywhere. If you are 45 and above, i’m sure you are thinking opportunities are diminishing but that is not true. Opportunities are there for the taking. They are there for those who are willing to grasp. For instance: you may have been walking in your neighbourhood and you noticed that something has been lacking. Maybe your neighbour has a particular problem that needs fixing. Or there is something you saw in the stock market that caught your attention. Just do something. See the opportunity and seize it.
Identifying Value and Opportunities
Not many people can see true value. The few that can are the leaders of our society. But, not necessarily. Those who are able to see true value rise to the top and become the most successful people in the same society. Just look at the richest people in the world. What did they do? They saw value where nobody else could not see. That is the power of identifying value and opportunities. Value takes precedence because that is where the money and financial security comes from.
Securing Yourself
In the current world we live in, the best security you can have is financial security. However, that does not mean that other types of securities are not important to you. Physical security, Job Security, Social Security and many other. With that said, you need to get your stuff ‘shit’ together. Secure yourself on all fronts. If retirement is just around the corner, take specific, verifiable and authentic steps to secure yourself and your loved ones. Again, no one can do this for you. Security is a basic need. DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.
Time is money
Safety, Security and Freedom comes with money. That is the reality of the world we live in. Money is time. And, time is money. As you face retirement, it is important that you keep this fact in mind. Regardless of how old you are, your time is worth money. The value of your time as a human being is the same as the value of the time of a 6 year old. It is undisputed that time is money. Let this simple principle work for you.
What To Do With Savings
Now, you have some savings. My advice; continue educating yourself. Enlightenment is the best way to retire. Savings can be used for many things. You can use your long-term savings to start a business, help a friend, go on vacation or -in my opinion- educate yourself. All in all is that you should use your savings well. Fortify yourself. Ensure that you are financially secure. Physically secure. Socially secure. And, just secure in all ways. This is what you should use your life savings for.
Way Forward
The way forward may seem uncertain or blurry. You may have worked hard all your life and your pension may not be as attractive as it may have seemed but don’t worry.
There are so many opportunities for people who are willing and ready to embrace new ideas, technologies, and innovations. Take some time to peruse through the internet. Employment and Entreprenuerial opportunities are abound.
You can only be as secure as your finances. We live in a capitalistic world where everyone has to work for their daily bread. This should not distract you from the main objective of being safe and secure. Do your best, use your savings wisely, and embrace new opportunities. The internet has unlimited potential that is waiting to be tapped. Approach it wisely but don’t be afraid to improve your life and move forward.